Carlos Carvalhal is among the managers interviewed by Rovers who concluded the process yesterday.

The process went on for longer than expected as the initial five-man shortlist was expanded following further interest in the job.

Carvalhal was among the initial five-man shortlist and has been interviewed for the position.

The Portuguese coach is a free agent after leaving SC Braga at the end of the season. He has interest from a team in the United Arab Emirates, with experience of the Middle East during a spell as a technical director at Al Ahli. However, links to a possible move ot Brazil have gone cold.

The 56-year-old has experience of working in England following spells with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship and Swansea City in the Premier League, and is though to be keen on a return.

Carvalhal left his position at Braga to pursue other opportunities, and while talk of a potential move to Brazil has gone cold, there is interest from the United Arab Emirates, alongside that of Rovers.

Despite suggestions of a job offer being made, that isn’t the case, with the club having only just concluded the process.

Yet Carvalhal is firmly in the club’s thoughts, though is understood to be keen on bringing his own coaching staff with him should he take the job.

Rovers confirmed the departure of Mark Venus this week, the assistant boss following Tony Mowbray in seeing his time with the club come to an end.

However, first-team coach David Lowe, goalkeeping coach Ben Benson and first-team technical coach Damien Johnson remain in situ, with their futures understood to have formed part of the discussions with managerial candidates.

That comes as Rovers have concluded interviews over the appointment of a head of athletic performance following Liam Mason’s departure. Mason had taken on the position following the departure of Chris Rush who left the club in 2021.

Yet that could now be on hold as talks continue with regards to a new managerial appointment.

When Mowbray was appointed in February 2017 he worked alongside existing club staff, with his one appointment being the arrival of Venus in the summer following relegation to League One.

John Park, who had worked previously with both Mowbray and Venus at Hibs and Celtic, was appointed as Rovers’ head of recruitment last summer. Mowbray had stated that Park would be likely to follow him in leaving the club, though he remains in post. However, his deal does expire at the end of next month.

While Carvalhal has worked with different staff during his various managerial positions, those have largely been his own decisions.

Joao Mario worked as Carvalhal’s assistant at Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea City and Rio Ave, but didn’t join him at Braga and remains in post with their Portuguese rivals.

Bruno Lage worked under Carvalhal during his two previous spells in England before moving into management himself, first with Benfica and now at Wolves.

A former analyst of Carvalhal’s, Jhony Conceicao, is also at Wolves, while fitness coach Joao Cunha has most recently worked in the K-League.

Braga this week appointed Artur Jorge as Carvalhal’s replacement, with five members of staff, including goalkeeping coach Eduardo, kept on by the club.

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